Groups on the Periodic Table Flashcards

Hydrogen

• Unique element not part of any group on the periodic table
• Has 1 valence electron, making it very reactive
• Exists as a gas at room temperature, colorless and odorless

Alkali Metals

• Group 1 elements with 1 valence electron
• Characterized by a silver color and low density
• Extremely reactive, especially with Group 17, forming a +1 charge

Alkali Earth Metals

• Group 2, featuring 2 valence electrons
• Highly reactive and good conductors of electricity
• Typically bond with Group 16 elements to achieve a +2 charge

Transition Metals

• Comprise Groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table
• Conductivity increases from left to right, while reactivity tends to decrease
• Includes the Lanthanide and Actinide series with varying valence electrons

Boron Group

• Group 13, named after its top element, boron
• Consists of one metalloid and the remainder as metals
• Contains 3 valence electrons

Carbon Group

• Group 14, named after carbon, the top element
• Contains 4 valence electrons, one non-metal, two metalloids, and remaining metals

Nitrogen Group

• Group 15, named after nitrogen, containing 5 valence electrons
• Consists of two non-metals, two metalloids, and one metal

Oxygen Group

• Group 16, named after oxygen, featuring 6 valence electrons
• Composed of three non-metals, one metalloid, and one metal

Halogens

• Group 17 elements having 7 valence electrons, all of which are non-metals
• Poor conductors of heat and electricity, highly reactive
• Tend to bond with Group 1 to form a -1 charge

Noble Gases

• Group 18 elements that are inert and not reactive
• Characterized by a full valence shell, resulting in no bonding with other elements

Metals

• Majority of elements fall into this class, found on the left side of the periodic table
• Features include being shiny, good conductors, malleable, and ductile
• Most are solid at room temperature, except mercury, which is liquid

Nonmetals

• Located on the right side of the periodic table, they lack malleability and ductility
• Poor conductors of heat and electricity; about half are gases at room temperature

Metalloids

• Positioned along a zigzag line, exhibiting properties of both metals and nonmetals
• Comprises 8 elements in total with mixed characteristics

Isotope

• Variants of an element differing in neutron count
• Leads to atoms of the same element possessing different atomic masses

Cation

• A positively charged element formed when there are fewer electrons than protons

Anion

• A negatively charged element created when there are more electrons than protons